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Questions
jim@battenkill.com
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Independent
Journeys
First Class Independent Travel
Let BattenKill
Canoe Design a Private Trip for You.
Independent Journeys with BattenKill are based on our
experience and existing itineraries are modified for people who like
to travel on their own, but who still want to experience the superb
itinerary design, great accommodations, unique experiences that are
the signature of traveling with BattenKill. We have been creating unique
small group adventures since 1983. They are perfect for honeymoons,
birthday and anniversary celebrations, or reunions of family and friends.
We can adjust departure dates and walking distances and add special,
unforgettable activities. Nothing compares to an adventure vacation
- arranged solely to enrich your occasion. The beauty of a Custom Tour
is that you are free to immerse yourself in the activity without the
hassle of transportation, lodging, equipment, guides, and logistics.
For most of our destinations we can custom design an itinerary that
offers the same high standard of operation and leadership we use on
our regular trips. You choose your preferred standard of accommodations,
travel dates and the amount of time to spend at the various sites along
the way. With advance planning we can match a specific guide to your
group's interests.
Planning this type of trip for a few people is usually
20-50% more expensive than a group departure for 8-12 people. Our custom
private arrangements are often less expensive than other companies'
large group departures. You will find incomparable value in the personal
service we provide, the knowledgeable experience we apply to designing
your trip and in the flexibility you will enjoy in the final itinerary
carefully tailored to your own interests.
To help us assist you in planning your trip we have developed a set
of FIT Custom Trip Planning Guidelines. We like to establish a sequence
of planning for private departures that efficiently uses your time and
resources. These procedures are rooted in our commitment to provide
the best service and value possible. As you describe your dream, we'll
begin to design your adventure.
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General Feasibility and Estimated Costs.
We will attempt to identify the feasibility and approximate cost
of the itinerary in which you are interested in our first consultations.
We share, free of charge or obligation, information about specific
components such as airfares and schedules, visa or immigration formalities,
seasonality, festivals or other specific knowledge we have readily
available in our office. We will send you background material so
that we can discuss more clearly your options
-
Just What Would You Like to Do?
Tell us as accurately and completely as you can about your interests
and preferences. If you know in advance, inform us of specific sites
you want to visit, the level of activity you prefer (ie whitewater,
flatwater, trekking or easy day hikes), dates and number of travel
days, type of accommodations and any other details. Give us an idea
for the kind of experience you want and if you have any special
interests we can plan into your trip. You may prefer a different
balance of paddling and non-paddling activities than our regular
departures. Or, you may be coming with a friend or spouse with different
interests and you may need to add an additional guide to support
parallel activities. If some are not paddlers or hikers, we can
visit with you to determine which of area's attractions they wish
to visit, and activities they may wish to enjoy. First review our
regular itineraries to get an idea to see some of the choices that
are available. Then fill out our preliminary FIT
WorkSheet, and give us an idea of what is most important to
you, and what you'd like to try. The next step is usually spending
some time on the phone to fill us in on some of the details. As
you describe your dream, we'll begin to design your adventure. We'll
suggest hotels, forests, beaches or volcanoes, based on your priorities.
We need your guidance to determine the lodging you would prefer.
Generally we start with our FIT Worksheet
so that you can give us an idea of what you are thinking. It is
always better if one person acts as the spokesperson to make itinerary
decisions on behalf of the group and with whom we can expect to
communicate. We will then outline a rough itinerary and estimated
trip cost.
-
Develop the Itinerary
If you decide to have us go ahead and plan a private trip, you will
authorize us to begin by sending a $500.00 non-refundable custom
trip planning deposit by check or credit card charge. This charge
is applicable as credit to your final trip cost. At this stage we
need your firm dates, preferred itinerary, and accommodations. This
can be done by phone although it is preferable to send it in writing
by email or fax. We will then finalize a day-by-day itinerary, probable
lodging along with a price quote for land and air arrangements,
with a statement of what is and what is not included in the trip.
If you decide that the prospective trip itinerary you receive requires
modification we will revise the itinerary and cost and return it
to you for final approval. If for any reason the trip is not suitable,
while the deposit is not refundable, it can be applied to other
services of BattenKill Canoe Ltd.
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Finalize the trip with your deposits
Once we capture the details of your proposed trip and you accept
the itinerary and ask us to confirm the reservations, you need to
submit a deposit of $500 per person. This, plus your $500 custom
trip planning fee, will be credited toward your total trip costs.
If after receiving the first itinerary you do not wish to pursue
the trip, or wish to postpone further consideration, you and Battenkill
Canoe will have no further obligation. If we do not hear from you
within 15 days of sending the initial prospective itinerary, we
will cancel any tentative arrangements or scheduling that we may
have made. We will re-quote the same itinerary for you at any time
in the future at no additional charge, though we cannot guarantee
cost estimates or space availability.
-
Confirm Reservations:
After we have received your $500 per person deposits, we will act
immediately to secure land and air arrangements for your trip. Acceptance
of a deposit is not a guarantee that we can confirm all reservations,
though usually we are able to do so. Please be aware that unless
you send your per person deposits immediately after approving your
itinerary, space may become unavailable between the time we initially
formulate an itinerary and when we receive your deposit to confirm
reservations. In the event we are unable to confirm land and air
reservations according to the proposed itinerary, or otherwise to
your satisfaction, we will either revise the itinerary and trip
price, or cancel the trip retaining only a $100 planning fee, and
refund all other moneys previously advanced. Should you choose to
cancel your trip for any reason, cancellation fees apply as outlined
in our Terms and Conditions. We offer cancellation insurance that
covers various contingencies.
After we receive your per person deposits we will prepare a pre-departure
packet for you. This will include the following items which pertain
to your trip:
o Custom itinerary
o Trip insurance application
o Balance due invoice
o Flight schedule/fares
o Destination background
o Equipment or packing checklist
o Health and immunization information
o Any required visa forms
o Other materials to help you prepare for your trip
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Pre Departure Consultations
Call us toll-free any time regarding your trip and preparation for
departure. We can help you recruit friends to join you, offer advice
on additional extensions and help you complete any forms needed.
Of course, we make any ongoing changes in your itinerary as may
be necessitated by changes in airline schedules, confirmation of
primary reservations that might have been waitlisted, or for the
addition of more individuals to the itinerary.
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Itinerary Revisions
Should you or a member of your party wish to revise any aspect of
the itinerary that has been confirmed, it may be possible to do
so. Itinerary revisions after an itinerary has already been confirmed
by a $300 deposit and signed Reservation Form are subject to a $25.00
revision fee along with other costs associated with the proposed
change. It may not be possible to confirm all requested revisions.
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Let's Go
It is actually very easy working with us to design your custom trip.
It takes effort, creativity and persistence to make reliable individual
arrangements. But if you give us enough lead time, and a clear sense
of your travel goals, we can make your travel dreams a reality.
The fun part is dreaming the impossible to make it your reality.
Contact
Us
BattenKill Canoe, Ltd.
800.421.5268 or 802.362.2800 fax--802.362.0159
©2004 BattenKill Canoe, Ltd.. All rights reserved
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